The Spokespersons of the European Green Party condemn in the strongestpossible terms the attack by Israeli forces on ships transportinghumanitarian aid to Gaza which has resulted in the deaths of at least 10people and many more serious injuries.

EGP Co-Spokespersons, Monica Frassoni and Philippe Lamberts, say:

“There can be no justification for this illegal use of excessive forcein international waters. We share the outrage felt by people throughoutthe world at this attack which has killed at least 10 activists and leftdozens more seriously wounded. We send our condolences to the families ofthe victims.

While the Israeli authorities like to label the activists as“pro-Palestinian”, they are in fact “humanitarians” trying todeliver essential aid to the people of Gaza, aid which cannot otherwise betransported because of the blockade imposed by Israel. The EU and theinternational community in general must put pressure on Israel to liftthis blockade so that humanitarian aid convoys like the one which has beenattacked will no longer be necessary. We must also point out that one ofthe reasons that Israel felt it could act in the way it has because the EUand wider international community had not given their support to the aidconvoy. The EU and the UN must act with the greatest urgency to get aid tothe people of Gaza who so desperately need it. It is imperative thatan international inquiry is immediately set up to establish the facts ofthis attack.”

lördag 29 maj 2010

JOINT STATEMENT BY GREENS/EFA GROUP IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE EUROPEAN GREEN PARTY IN SUPPORT OF GREEN PARTY’S CANDIDATE ANTANAS MOCKUS IN COLOMBIA’S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

The European Green Party, representing 36 member parties in 32 countries, and the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, enthusiastically support the campaign of the Colombian Green Party’s candidate, Antanas Mockus, to become President of Colombia. The European Greens, like Greens all over the world, call on Colombian voters to grasp the unique opportunity for change offered by the first round of the presidential election on Sunday 30th May.

The spectacular increase in support throughout Colombia for Antanas Mockus since he started his campaign is evidence of the widespread desire for real change in Colombia after eight years of the government led by President Uribe. The electoral programme of the Green Party focuses on the priorities of the vast majority of Colombia’s citizens, namely the need to tackle corruption and what is known in Colombia as “parapolitics”, poverty and the country’s many serious social problems as well as policies to protect the environment. The election of Antanas Mockus as President would mean an end to the Uribe era which has been marked by a blatant lack of respect for the constitution and the rule of law, an excessively militaristic approach to resolving conflicts, the needless intensification of regional tensions and a complete lack of the political will to really fight both corruption and the enduring poverty suffered by millions of Colombians. The Colombian Green Party's policies would bring real improvements to the lives of Colombians in terms of increased investment in education and opportunities for young people, job creation, unconditional respect for the law, constitution and human rights and an end to impunity for those involved in corruption or illegality as well as measures to increase citizens’ participation in the democratic process.

The European Greens and the Green parliamentary group in the EP call on the EU and its member states to do everything in their power to closely monitor the Colombian elections to ensure that the elections are held in a completely fair and democratic manner and that no parties are allowed to manipulate the electoral process, intimidate voters or deprive them of their right to freely vote for the candidate of their choosing. These elections can and should be a model of democracy and the EU and the international community in general must be proactive in ensuring that this opportunity is not wasted.

We would like to reiterate our hope that the people of Colombia will vote for Antanas Mockus and the Colombian Greens so that their country can look forward to a better future for all its citizens.

Rebecca Harms and Daniel Cohn-Bendit, Co-Presidents, Greens-EFA Group in the European Parliament

Monica Frassoni and Philippe Lamberts, Co-Spokespersons, European Green Party

tisdag 4 maj 2010

Antanas Mockus has shown his ability to transform Bogotá and great commitment with the citizens during the administration as Mayor of Bogotá. Now is a historical chance for a change as he can become the future president. It is crucial to guarantee transparent and democratic elections, therefore send observers for the elections on the 30th of May. Green MEP´s and MP´s go!